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Rail infrastructure managers in the Middle East
11 managers9 countriesLinks checked on 12 Oct 2026
The Middle East combines two rail worlds. On one side are long-established networks in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan, partly inherited from the Hejaz Railway. On the other are the Gulf's new networks, built to modern standards from day one by purpose-made organisations.
Infrastructure managers by country
| Country | Infrastructure manager | Acronym |
|---|---|---|
| IRIran | Islamic Republic of Iran Railways | RAI |
| IQIraq | Iraqi Republic Railways | IRR |
| ILIsrael | Israel Railways | ISR |
| JOJordan | Aqaba Railway Corporation | ARC |
| JOJordan | Jordan Hejaz Railway | JHR |
| OMOman | Oman Rail | |
| OMOman / United Arab Emirates | Hafeet Rail (Oman–UAE link) | |
| QAQatar | Qatar Rail | QR |
| SASaudi Arabia | SAR (Saudi Arabia Railways) | SAR |
| SYSyria | Syrian Railways | CFS |
| AEUnited Arab Emirates | Etihad Rail | ER |
No manager matches.
How rail is organised in the region
In Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) runs the national network, including the Haramain high-speed line between Makkah and Madinah. In the UAE, Etihad Rail builds and manages the national freight and passenger network. Qatar Rail leads the Doha Metro and the country's rail projects, and Hafeet Rail is building the line between Oman and the UAE.
These organisations are now among the world's largest buyers of rolling stock, signalling and rail engineering, so knowing who leads which project matters to suppliers and job seekers alike.
Infrastructure manager or train operator?
An infrastructure manager (IM) owns or runs the network itself: track, bridges and tunnels, overhead lines, signalling and telecoms. It maintains and renews these assets, allocates capacity (train paths) to railway undertakings and leads major works and their tenders.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs the railway in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) manages the national network, including the Haramain high-speed line between Makkah and Madinah.
Who manages the UAE railway network?
Etihad Rail develops and manages the UAE's national rail network for both freight and passengers.
What is Hafeet Rail?
It is the joint company set up by Oman and the UAE to build and run the line linking Sohar port to the UAE network.
Other regions
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